Killington Resort partners with VFFC to give 700 bags of local foods and produce to community members in need
Killington Resort announced on Aug. 26, a Farm-to-Trunk community grocery giveaway happening on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 3-6 p.m., or until all 700 bags have been given away, at Pico Mountain. The 100% locally sourced grocery giveaway is in partnership with VFFC and funded by a $50,000 donation from the Killington Play It Forward Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation to VFFC and Thomas Dairy.
“We realize farmers have lost much of their distribution network with restaurants in the state running at reduced capacity, so we’re excited to partner with Vermont Farmers Food Center and provide products purchased directly from local Vermont farms,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “By supporting our local farms and those experiencing food insecurities, we hope to strengthen our community and inspire others to take action.”
In mid-March, Killington donated food from the resort’s kitchens to employees and ambassadors. Since then, Killington has continued to feed staff and the community through food giveaways in partnership with the town of Killington and Castleton University with plans to make an additional $50,000 donation to expand on monthly food programs.
The Farm-to-Trunk Food Giveaway will include 100% locally sourced products including:
- Milk from Thomas Dairy (Rutland)
- Vegetables from Evening Song Farm (Shrewsbury), Yoder Farm (Danby),
Boardman Hill Farm (Rutland), Otter Point Farm (West Haven) and Singing Cedars Farm (Orwell) - Yogurt from Larson Farm and Creamery (Wells)
- Eggs, bacon and ground beef from Windy Meadows (Whitehall, New York)
- Ground beef from Squier Family Farm (Tinmouth) and Davis Farms (West Rutland)
- Sweet corn from Brown’s Orchard and Farmstand (Castleton)
- Goat milk feta cheese and yogurt from Ice House Farm (Goshen)
- Honey and maple syrup from Elmore Mountain Maple Works (North Chittenden) and Brookside Estate (Orwell)
- Bread from Ooh La La Bakery and Creperie (Chittenden)
- Garlic from Quill Hill Farm (Poultney)
- Cheese from Vermont Farmstead (Windsor)
- Flour from King Arthur Baking Company (Norwich)
“With Covid-19, our farm is looking at a 50% income loss due to the cancellation of all festivals and events,” said Laura Ramos of Quill Hill Farm. “Working with Killington and VFFC on the ‘Farm-to-Trunk’ project has allowed us an outlet to sell a large volume of product and get it into the hands and mouths of local Vermonters that need it most.”
“Elmore Mountain Maple Works is pleased to have been chosen to participate in this program that is helping so many families in the Killington area,” said John Bodin of Elmore Mountain Maple Works. “For a small, local family business, this is a wonderful way for us to introduce ourselves to the community and we are very grateful for the opportunity to support the VFFC’s work.”
“The pandemic exposed the fragility of the U.S. food system and the need to strengthen the local food network,” said Rich Larson of Larson Farm and Creamery. “Thank you to the Killington ‘Farm-to-Trunk’ project for introducing area families to quality locally-produced foods.”